Apr 25, 2026
We’re living through the great Space Boom and with
great innovation comes a lot of whacky ideas… Astronomer and
Associate Professor Michael Brown from Monash University joins me
to discuss stupid things in space.
The conversation dives into some of the more bizarre and ambitious
ideas circulating the space industry, from firing villains and
radioactive waste in to the sun to deploying giant orbital mirrors
to light up Earth’s dark side. Brown breaks down why many of these
concepts are far less practical than they sound. With over 15,000
satellites circling earth, Brown also examines the promises and
downsides of mega-constellations like Starlink, including how they
operate and the challenges they pose for astronomers and the
environment.
It’s a fascinating and critical peek in to the
intersection of innovation, risk, and imagination in the new space
age.
